Community Garden Plots 2012

Below is the assigned plots list for the Upton Community Garden at the Stefans Farm Property 2012:

1 Gallagher
2 Community Herb
3 Bachtold
4 Robinson
5 United Parish
6 Dean
7 Borst
8 Cahill
9 Lowery
10 Cotter
11 Fedorczuk
12 Cuenot
17 Beauregard
18 BVT Culinary

We have one more person that applied for 2012, and the Land Stewardship committee is hopefully going to be able to build an additional plot this year, so that person can participate.

Welcome to all our new gardeners!
Here is some information about the garden, and if you have questions please feel free to email Matthew at matthew.bachtold@gmail.com, or call me at 413-265-8908.
1) Our garden is organic and pesticide-free, so please use organic techniques, and don't use herbicides or chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Organic pest controls and fertilizers are okay.
2) The beds settle over the winter, so adding some more soil to your bed each spring is a good idea. We have some topsoil and donated horse manure in piles at the garden which you are welcome to use.
3) The beds have a brown painted number to show which plot # they are. I'll try to make sure they are clearly labeled. We try our best to make sure returning gardeners use the same plot each year.
4) The grass around the garden gets high over the summer. We have some volunteers that mow occasionally, but be aware of ticks.
5) Feel free to use the tool shed and rain barrels. Any tools in the shed are available for communal use, we just ask that you put them back when you're done.
6) I maintain a blog website for the garden at http://uptongarden.blogspot.com . If you have any pictures or updates about your garden and its produce, please share them!
7) Plot #2 is a community herb bed. As the herbs mature, please harvest some! If you'd like to plant an herb in the community bed, that's great, but no more mint please!
8) Each gardener needs to sign a Liability waiver for the town. Waivers are available on this website. Just cross of the "2011" and write in "2012" until I can get an updated copy. Please fill it out and return it to Matthew by dropping it off at the Upton Town Library, or mailing to Matthew Bachtold, PO Box 401, Upton MA 01568. If you haven't filled this out by June, I'll be sending out reminders.

Sign up now for 2012!

Garden plots are available for the 2012 growing season!

Do you want the joy of raising your own local food, but don’t have space for a garden of your own? Join us at the Upton Community Garden!

Each plot is a 4’ by 16’ raised bed for growing organic vegetables, flowers and herbs.

Soil, manure and tools are provided free of charge.

Preference is given to community groups based in Upton, but plots are also available for individual residents.

This year an elevated bed is available for gardeners that have difficulty bending over.

To sign up for the 2012 season, contact Matthew Bachtold at matthew.bachtold@gmail.com or 413-265-8908 by April 15^th.

If there are more sign-ups than available plots, they will be assigned by lottery.

Finally some Rain after the Heat!

It looks like all the plots made it through the heat wave and are enjoying the rain, I know my vegetables were getting very wilted and fried from the extreme heat.

I hope everyone is enjoying the garden and has been able to harvest some delicious treats!

Don’t forget to make use of the herb bed, we have an abundance of herbs so please take some.

If anyone has questions, comments or gardening news to share, please let me know at mbachtol@cwmars.org

Plot #6, June 28th, 2011

Garden Update June 27, 2011

The community garden looks great! Everyone’s plots are full of lush green vegetables, and we appreciate the work that everyone is putting in to make our garden a success.

The Herb bed (#2) has a nice variety of selections growing, please feel free to harvest some of the herbs to enjoy.

Take advantage of the beautiful weather, and contact Matthew at mbachtol@cwmars.org or 508-529-2339 if you have any questions or comments about the community garden.

If anyone happens to get some pictures of their plot or wants to share a recipe for their produce, please send me a copy!

The Gardens are Sprouting!

This rainy weather has been great for the garden, lots of green sprouts popping up all over.

I’ve noticed some really nice pea plants up at the garden, so if you haven’t planted your bed yet, make plans to start soon!

The communal Herb Bed, plot #2 is ready for planting. Marcella already transplanted some nice contributions, and I’ve been promised some Lemon Balm to put in. If you have any favorite herbs you’d like to share with everyone, please put them in plot #2.. anywhere in the bed is fine, just mark your plants so they don’t get tilled over.

Plot #2 - Communal Herb Bed

This year, we are going to use plot #2 as a communal herb bed.
Matthew will prep the bed for planting, and I encourage everyone to put in one of their favorite herbs.
Everyone will be welcome to harvest from this bed throughout the season.
Please be sure to mark the spot where you have planted so we don't accidentally plant on top of each other!